DaysofPal- The intermittent closure of the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza is placing the lives of thousands of patients and wounded individuals at increasing risk, according to Raed al-Nems, spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent in the enclave.
In press remarks on Wednesday, al-Nems warned that the limited and irregular opening of the crossing has failed to meet the urgent medical needs of those requiring treatment abroad. He explained that, even when the crossing is operational, the number of individuals permitted to leave remains insufficient to address the scale of the crisis.
Al-Nems outlined that the process of selecting patients for travel is coordinated jointly by Gaza’s Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization. Cases are prioritized based on medical urgency, with the most critical patients given precedence. Despite this system, the number of approved departures remains tightly restricted.
He stressed that Israeli occupation forces ultimately determine how many individuals are allowed to exit, granting permits according to their own criteria. Al-Nems described these limitations as unacceptable, particularly in light of the growing humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip.
Evacuation operations for patients and the wounded through the Rafah crossing have been completely halted since Monday, following its closure by Israeli occupation forces. The Palestinian General Authority for Crossings and Borders confirmed that the decision has suspended all travel for humanitarian cases, including those already approved for medical evacuation.
According to official figures, more than 22,000 patients and injured individuals in Gaza are currently in urgent need of treatment abroad. Of these, approximately 19,000 have already completed the necessary medical and legal procedures and are awaiting permission to cross.
The continued closure threatens to further strain Gaza’s already overwhelmed healthcare system, leaving thousands without access to critical care beyond the territory’s borders.
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